New To Model Engineering

[roconnor]

Hi All,
This is my first posting on the website.
I would be very grateful for any advice on model engineering.
I have long admired the beautiful steam trains and other steam related items produced by enthusiasts.
I have little or no experience of workshop techniques and wondered what people thought of my plan to purchase a static marine steam engine kit from Stuart Models.
I'm sure members are familiar with this long established company.
I decided to buy myself a kit to generally familiarise myself with model engineering.
I understand that this company also produces castings of the same models but not having a lathe or other equipment I would not be able to work on the model.
I have noticed in the UK a company called Chronos Ltd who produce a micro lathe. Would this be suitable for working on the size of model that Stuart produce?
I appreciate that I have asked several questions but i am starting from scratch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
roconnor

[SteveW]

Roconnor,

I noticed a few folk have already read your thread and didn't have an answer, not sure I have but I'll give it go. If you have already bought a machined Stuart Kit you are already either used to/ or ready to spend money. A recuring trend with the class of folk you are aiming to join is to avoid spending any money at all but it is more fun to spend carefully.

Given the flood of increasing quality of ME tools from both Eastern Europe and the Far East (from Chronos) it is easily possible to blow a few grand on the bits and pieces you'll need. I went second hand and bought an ageing Myford lathe for £750 and had to spend another £250 on a re-grind. It also came with chucks tools and odds n'ends. £400 got me a Mill/Drill. £25 a bench grinder (cheap but essential) cheap drill press another 50 quid but its poor quality and better suited to drilling wood. Drill sets (big and small), end mill sets, taps, dies, files, saws, lathe tools etc the list goes on and the cost runs away.

A decent bench and a good vice are an essential start as is somewhere for all of this lot to live. For me its the garage, the car gets the drive.

Then there is all the daft things like odd bits of metal to convert to what you want to make and other bits of metal to make the jigs and other odds and ends necessary to make what you make.

Measuring kit: ruler, vernier, micrometers, a marble tile from Wikes/B&Q for a surface table (a couple of quid well spent), marking gauges and so on.

This list goes on and I still haven't made anything. Time is the biggest thing to add to the list after money and space to work.

Whether you do Model Engineering or Home Machinisting (yuk!) you need to decide what to make. This topic is a very broad church: stationary steam, steam locomitive (sub-group gauge 0..3-1/2..7-1/2".. 10"..) steam boats, internal combustion, Sterling (Hot Air), clocks, tools, special tools et al.

Go find a club or someone that that already does ME in some form and watch and listen to them. Take advice (you have already) but take more advice. Go to exhibitions see the sort of tools on offer and work out what you'll need to screw your Stuart Kit together. A thought occurs on how you're going to power this engine, only static, simple electric to see all the bits going or the full steam thing.

Remember that steam, although very romantic, gets bloody hot and can cause serious burns and explosions in the hands of the inexprienced, this being anyone not already burnt or covered in oil from head to foot.

I know what I've outlined seems a bit negative, maybe its is, but I wouldn't miss it for anything. You have to have a dream, a goal in life ME is mine. Think very hard before spending big money, above all know where you are going with it and explore your passion to the full.

[denis M]

roconner

Could not agree more with what stevew has said. I cannot say any more than second the most important thing, find and join a local club or society you will be suprised what you can learn and get. We recently had to clear a work shop for a deceased member and things like taps and die etc were being given away for pence.

Also you will meet like minded people some you will like some you wont but soon you will br offered a drive of a loco which will spur you on.

Get out and enjoy the hobby but remember also that not all things go according to plan.

Welcome to the hobby.

[roconnor]

Thanks very much for the comprehnsive replies to my message.
They have given me plenty to think about.
sincerely,
roconnor

[the_viffer]

Just to put a cat amongst some pigeons around 20 years ago Tubal Cain described in Model Engineer how to build a Stuart Turner 10H with hand tools only. The design was called Handmaiden. He reckoned he could make one by hand in about the same time as he could machine one. Knocking around somewhere at Viffer Heights is my attempt. I cheated and did the flywheel and cylinder on a lathe. Whether it is a beginner's project I don't know: it takes a degree of skill and experience to file neatly. Then again the outlay is much less than buying a lathe.

I'd certainly recommend a club or evening class.

[Malcolm]

I would say, don't buy a very small lathe. Attractive though they are, you will rapidly outgrow it. Almost every model engineer finds that he wants to do jobs that are a bit too big for his lathe. Go for a three and a half inch as a minimum. Don't buy a badly worn second hand one, you will find it discouraging to use. A small Stuart engine is an excellent way to start.

[DaveBeaman]

I would also agree that a small lathe is soon outgrown. I was lucky enough to obtain an antique Myford for painting an O-Gauge loco, well worn but it serves the purpose. There are pleanty of model engineering clubs around and most members I have spoken to are only too pleased to help out, one sold me a horizontal miller for £200, with cutters! They will also help out with machining projects that get either too big or too complex, I am fairly new to model engineering and have needed much advice and assistance.
What area are you in? There may be a club member close to you on here.

Dave

[chameleonrob]

if you make a Stuart Turner 10H with hand tools only then if you arn't good with them to start with you will be by the time your finised! alot of me engine is being made with hand tools and i am learning alot.

[roconnor]

Message For Chameleonrob

Hi thanks for your reply,I would very much like to hear about your experiences building your Stuart 10H
If you contact me or the moderator,perhaps we can exchange email addresses.
roconnor